Library Media Center

The Ruth L. Chaffee School Library Media Center is a place where children, teachers, and parents come to enjoy good books, expand their knowledge, and explore the world of information.  We hope you will have a great visit and come back again soon!

"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world.
Love of books is the best of all."
~Jacqueline Kennedy

 Mission

The mission of the Newington School Library Media Program is to ensure that all students and staff have the skills and opportunity to access, evaluate, and use information.  The Library Media Specialists play a critical role in the introduction of new learning technologies, support of the curriculum, and the teaching of information skills in a positive learning environment in which all students can become independent, lifelong learners.

We believe that it is important for the Library Media Program to maintain its traditional role of preserving and disseminating information while incorporating advances in technology for information access.  Our goal is to help students become productive citizens and participants in a rapidly changing global society.

Our Goals

The goals of the School Library Media Program in Newington are:

• To ensure that the students and staff are able to effectively access, use, and evaluate ideas and information
• To provide intellectual and physical access to materials in different formats
• To provide instruction to foster competence and stimulate interest in reading, viewing, and using information and ideas
• To consult with other professionals in designing learning strategies to meet the needs of individuals as well as groups
• To provide resources and learning activities that represent a diversity of experiences, opinions, and social and cultural perspectives
• To provide experiences which encourage appreciation and enjoyment of literature as a lifelong endeavor
• To provide students with experiences that will encourage them to become lifelong learners

Description of Program

Elementary school children are natural information seekers.  By teaching strategies for information problem-solving the school library media specialist nurtures and develops children's intrinsic ability to ask questions.  Through the integration of a variety of learning activities and experiences, children learn to focus and clarify their questions; to explore and evaluate relevant information sources; to synthesize and communicate their findings; and to improve their academic performance through self evaluation.  The use of technology facilitates the search for information and enhances children's ability to answer questions, solve problems, and communicate solutions.  The library media curriculum for grades K-4 seeks to link information and research skills with content knowledge.

In addition to providing a strong academic foundation for the demands of middle and high school, the library media specialist also nurtures every child's natural love of stories.  Through the integration of literature into all curricular areas, children learn to appreciate, select, and enjoy books that satisfy their interests.

An integral part of the elementary school library media program is to work collaboratively with the staff of the Lucy Robbins Welles Public Library.

Policy and Procedures

Students come to the Library Media Center once a week to listen to stories; learn about books, authors, and illustrators; and learn to meet their own information needs through research on personal or classroom topics of interest.

In general, students are allowed to take out one book at a time for a period of one week.  They may exchange their books during their regular class period, or during the Book Exchange time each morning.  The borrowed book must be returned before another book is signed out.

There are no fines for overdue books in the elementary schools.  During the year, parents will be notified if a book is more than two weeks overdue.  When a book is determined to be lost, parents will be billed the replacement cost.